What is Antimony Oxide and How Is It Produced?
Antimony oxide is an inorganic chemical formed when antimony is heated in the presence of air. Antimony oxide has been in use for a while and is used in even new industries. This white powder is obtained from a mineral known as stibnite (antimony sulfide). Its vapor density is 10 (air = 1), while its solid density is 5.7 g cm3. The melting point and the boiling point are both 1425 degrees Celsius. Antimony oxide can only exhibit soluble properties under hydrolysis. However, it dissolves just slightly in water.
The manufacturing process of antimony oxide involves synthesizing the metal with Polyvinyl alcohol in a water solution containing sodium hydroxide and antimony trichloride. This process produces Nanoparticles between 10 – 80 nm. Antimony oxide is one of the most prevalent compounds of antimony used in various commercial applications in different industries.
Uses of Antimony Oxide
Antimony oxide does not have any fire-retardant characteristics in its physical form. However, it becomes a synergist when mixed with other chemicals and is most valuable when combined with halides in producing flame-retardant polymers. Antimony can be alloyed with other metals like lead for higher strength and hardness. The lead-antimony alloy is used in the manufacture of lead batteries. Also, it demonstrates metal-like and non-metal-like properties interchangeably.
One of the main uses of antimony oxide is as an opacifying agent for glasses. It is used at low concentrations to decolorize intricate glasses, reduce bubbles in optical glass, and as the stabilization ingredient in the creation of emerald green glass, and it has a minor fluxing effect in glazes at higher temperatures.
Other important uses for antimony oxide are highly conductive applications like plastics, textiles, fiber, and coatings. Printing press metals, and bullets, are other applications for antimony alloys. Antimony oxide’s exceptional tinctorial strength is essential for applications involving halogen compounds.
Antimony trioxide can also be used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions and used as a flame retardant for various resins, synthetic rubber, canvas, paper, paint, etc. Diodes and Infrared detectors are just two examples of semiconductor devices that contain antimony in manufacturing. Anatomy oxide is also used when it comes to proofing ceramics as well as staining copper and glass.
It is important to note that when antimony oxide is used in ceramic glaze applications, it can lead to a yellow coloring if lead is present in the glaze due to the yellow lead precipitation (Naples Yellow). Antimony oxide is used and will continue to be applied in manufacturing. The need for antimony oxide may rise thanks to expanding scientific knowledge, rising demand, and more applications.
The wide range of brick colors you see is achieved using antimony oxide. It can also be used in the bleaching process of red-burning clay. Some industrial processes lead to the release of antimony oxide into the environment. Consumer waste disposed of in the environment may also contain Antimony oxide traces.
Demand for antimony oxide is increasing not only in the construction sector but also in the electronics sector. The market for electronic equipment, like televisions, printers, laptops, monitors etc, is increasing in developing nations. As a result, the antimony oxide market is ripping from this demand.
Another driver is the advancements in the fire safety equipment sector. For instance, construction companies have implemented improved safety precautions to lower the risk of fire hazards by widely using fire retardant insulations to minimize the potential damage caused by fires.
Additionally, it is utilized in flame retardant rubber, which is often used in manufacturing safety gear. The packaging industry’s rising need for PET plastics promises well for the market’s future expansion. At the same time, the demand for antimony oxide for a wide range of applications will keep the market booming in the foreseeable future.
Ensure you follow all the necessary safety precautions while handling antimony oxide. Since it can be dangerous to handle, you must ensure it is from someone you can trust. Oushi Metal has experience handling raw materials such as manganese, vanadium, and silicon, etc. We also carry out any processes you might need with the metal, so you do have to do it.
That way, you can rest assured that the final product will be okay and free of any hazardous residue. Reach out to us today for our antimony oxide needs. We will ensure that everything works in your favor.
